Happy Birthday Baby Girl 4/25/2012

Man, it has been a while.  My last post was July 30th.  That was the day Aliyah came home.  We have had some fun since then.  As I look back at her "go home" pictures, it is more than obvious she can't see anything.  Now, I'm entertained by her attempting to emulate the Backyardians as they dance around on the TV screen.  She is now moving, wiggling, and jumping a lot :).  Last month, we had our 1st serious sick spell, but like everything else, she overcame.  God is so faithful!

During Aliyah's baby dedication, I couldn't help but to think about all the time she was in the hospital and all the uncertainties we faced at that time.  It was pretty overwhelming.  God's faithfulness was the one thing I couldn't get out of my head.  So much uncertainty this time last year.  Now, I'm entertained by the little things she does as she learns to hold, grab, bite, jump, and push herself around in a walker.  Her smile continues to brighten our home.  Knowing what I know makes the smile that much more special.

-Watching Dr. Harn pull her from Christal's womb
-Watching Dr. Wysole push a breathing apparatus down her throat
-Watching the breathing machine support her lungs time, after time, after time
-Watching her learn how to nurse from a bottle and her mother
-Watching the blood bruises from diaper rash

All the suffering doesn't add up to the smile she gives when you pick her up in the morning after a good night's sleep.  She is truly our special little girl.

Happy Birthday Aliyah.  You have come a long way (from 1 lb 4.5 oz to 16 lb).  You will always be my baby girl.

Love you.
Dad

Time to come home

4/25/2011 1 lb 4.5 oz

7/30/2011 6 lb 13.6 oz

The time has finally arrived.  Aliyah is coming home today!  I give glory and honor to God!  God has been gracious to us throughout this process.  It started on April 20th.  My wife called me from the doctors office before I got on a plane headed to Detroit.  Grace.

Day after Easter (April 25th) Aliyah was born.  If it had been 2 weeks later, Christal would have been in Italy with me for my study abroad class.  Grace.

Aliyah was born 1 lb 4.5 oz.  Today she is a health 6 lb 13.6 oz!  Grace.

When doctor Santiago spoke with us (before she was born), he informed us of all the complexities a 24 week baby faces.  Christal and I had to answer whether or not we wanted Aliyah revived if she came out not breathing.  This was the most difficult discussion and time I've ever been in.  When you have a child, no one thinks about complications.  I'm not the type of person who wants to think about the possibilities of my child not breathing or needing emergency assistance.  I'm happy to say Aliyah Imani lived up to her name by beating the odds and creating a high standard for a 24 week preme.  GRACE!

She has come a long way.  Getting through this time would not be possible without team work and a strong wife in my life.

I thank God for Christal and EVERYTHING she has done for our baby and our family throughout this process.  She has been a God send.  What she has done throughout this time period is more than I could have ever imagined.  

I also wanted to take this time to thank all of you who have followed this blog and prayed for our family. God bless each and everyone of you.  

This will be the last "NICU" status for Aliyah Imani Garrison!!!  Thank God we are coming home today!!!

God Bless,

Barry G.

Counting down.....7/25/2011

7/19/2011 5 lb 1.5 oz
7/20/2011 5 lb 5.8 oz
7/21/2011 5 lb 8.2 oz
7/25/2011 6 lb 2 oz

Well, I didn't write anything because of my school schedule.  I went to school after work on Friday, all day Saturday, and Sunday afternoon.  Thank God I have a break until August.

Aliyah has done well.  She is over six pounds!  The doctors moved her from 6 feedings by mouth to 8 feedings by mouth.  When she reaches this milestone, she will be ready to come home!!!!!  Christal has already start putting up baby pens, and we looked for a bassinet today.  


Her eyes are getting better also.  She took a hearing an exam.  One ear failed and one passed.  She will be receiving another hearing test Wednesday.  


I'm praying she will get out by this weekend.  One of my sisters has never seen her in person.  Let's pray that changes this weekend.


I've uploaded the picture below.  You can see how big her cheeks are.  One nurse said she looks more like a newborn than a preme!  I'm so proud of her, and I love being around her.


We love you Aliyah.  Can't wait to kiss those cheeks on a regular basis!


God Bless,
Barry G.

Good times in the tub ... 7/21/2011

7/18/2011 5 lb 1.5 oz
7/19/2011 5 lb 1.5 oz
7/20/2011 5 lb 5.8 oz
7/21/2011 5 lb 8.2 oz


Well, had fun today helping Christal bathe Aliyah.  She was all smiles in the tub today.  It was more fun than I thought it would be.  I enjoy just being around her at this point.  It was also fun because we all participated in something as a family :).  


Aliyah's oxygen was lowered today.  The nurse didn't even put the oxygen on her during her bath!  I was able to get some good pictures with nothing on her face!  There not as nice as the pics Christal takes.  I can't seem to get her smiling :(.  The first pic is with Christal bathing her.


She had a decent day eating today.  She didn't wake up for her 12:00 feeding.  The nurse tried to wake her, but she wanted no part of it.  She was very attentive at 6:00 pm though.  Primarily because of the bath.  Overall, this was the most fun day I've had.  It is always good to see her smile.  

I need to go to bed now.  I have work in the morning and class after that.  Pray my strength!


Thank you for your continued support and prayers,
Barry G.

Bilateral grade 1 brain bleed...thank God for Grace 7/20/2011

7/17/2011 5 lb 0.5 oz
7/18/2011 5 lb 1.5 oz
7/19/2011 5 lb 1.5 oz
7/20/2011 5 lb 5.8 oz 

We found out today that Aliyah had bleeding in her brain.  The good news is it is grade one.  The medical staff said this happens to most 24 week preme's.  Grade one bleeds usually correct themselves.  It showed up in the ultrasound for the first time on Tuesday.  This is just another example of how much we depend on God's grace.  God is faithful and he covers us with his grace and mercy every day.  Aliyah has had very few complications through her short life.  This incident reminds me about how bad it may have been.  I'm so thankful!

I held Aliyah again today. She was her usually self.  Moving around a lot :).  Christal attempted to feed her by bottle at 6:00 p.m. (3rd feeding) but she could only muster 6 of 46 mL.  She was chocking on it a lot, so they put the rest in the feeding tube.  She did suck the pacifier for me though!  She was also very attentive during the visit.  

I'll try to go by there again today.  I will be in class Friday night, all day Saturday, and Sunday afternoon.  

Please pray for Christal.  Encourage her as much as possible.  She is definitely a warrior!
God Bless,
Barry G. 

 

Time for a new challenge......7/19/2011

7/14/2011 4 lb 15.5 oz
7/17/2011 5 lb 0.5 oz
7/18/2011 5 lb 1.5 oz
7/19/2011 5 lb 1.5 oz


Aliyah had another good day today.  She was able duplicate the two bottle thing again.  Now it's time for her to go to 4!  The doctor wanted her to take 2 bottles and breastfeed twice today.  How exciting!  I'm praying she will meet the challenge. 


I will try to go by and visit her today.  I will not have an opportunity this weekend.  I'll be in class most of the weekend.  I'm looking forward to a break from school next week.  It will be my first real break since Christmas.  Time moves fast.  This fall, I'll be done!  

I mentioned in the last blog the doctor abruptly turned down her oxygen.  She didn't respond well to that.  Today, she pull the oxygen from her nose by herself!  Christal said they didn't put it back and she did great!  That's my girl!  She was ready for the move, but most importantly, it was on HER terms....no one else! 


Looking forward to seeing you Aliyah.  Make daddy proud!  I love you!
Barry G.

2 down...6 to go 7/18/2011

7/13/2011 4 lb 15.5 oz
7/14/2011 4 lb 15.5 oz
7/17/2011 5 lb 0.5 oz
7/18/2011 5 lb 1.5 oz

Aliyah was able to take 2 complete bottle feeds by mouth today.  She is currently being feed 8 times a day.  Aliyah will need to average a bottle a day in order to go home by next week.  Prayerfully, she will do better than that.


Christal gave her another bath today.  This time, she didn't try to poop in the bath water!  The first time, they were able to pull her out before she dropped the bomb!  Maybe they should use the color in the bath water to indicate when she has used the bathroom (similar to the Grown-ups movie).  We wouldn't want them bathing her in urine water would we??? 

The doctor made an aggressive move today also.  He attempted to turn her oxygen all the way down today.  Unfortunately, she didn't respond very well today.  The medical staff ended up turning the oxygen back up after the unfavorable response.  They will continue to try, but it may be more graceful (over a longer time period) next time.  Christal personally didn't like the move because its timing (right before she eats).

Aliyah normally has trouble when she gets to the end of her feeding.  Her little tummy gets big enough to make it slightly difficult to breath.  

Please pray for her continued growth and endurance.  We are definitely getting close.  I can feel it. 


God Bless,
Barry G.